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Students from the University of North Georgia (ºìÁ«ÉçÇø) and Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, are gaining language and cultural learning in growing numbers through a study abroad exchange. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, each university has welcomed multiple students to its campus for the 2022-23 academic year.

Eleven ºìÁ«ÉçÇø students are spending at least a semester at Nanzan between the fall and spring, with three of them set to study for a full academic year in Nagoya. Three Nanzan students are at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø for both semesters.

The schools had previously engaged in numerous Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities and three summer study abroad opportunities at Nanzan, plus a two-week spring 2019 visit from Nanzan students to ºìÁ«ÉçÇø. Cadet Daniel Shearer in spring 2020 became the first ºìÁ«ÉçÇø student to head to Nanzan for a semester before having to come back early due to the start of the pandemic.

After an increased volume of COIL experiences and a virtual exchange for ºìÁ«ÉçÇø student Kirsten Howard in 2021-22, Dr. Tomoe Nishio, ºìÁ«ÉçÇø associate professor of Japanese, is grateful travel is allowing the partnership with Nanzan to blossom even further.  

"We do our best to give our students experiences in cultural learning locally at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø, but it's nothing compared to what they can do in Japan immersed in the environment, speaking only in Japanese," Nishio said. "It's good pressure to have to speak the language and learn how to behave in the Japanese context."

We do our best to give our students experiences in cultural learning locally at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø, but it's nothing compared to what they can do in Japan immersed in the environment, speaking only in Japanese. It's good pressure to have to speak the language and learn how to behave in the Japanese context.

Dr. Tomoe Nishio

ºìÁ«ÉçÇø associate professor of Japanese

"They help me feel more comfortable," Fedrick said. "I don't feel out of place."

Meanwhile, Danielle Kent, a ºìÁ«ÉçÇø senior from Gray, Georgia, pursuing a degree in international affairs, said Nanzan students have a "unique openness and understanding of other cultures" that has made her feel welcome. They also are patient in helping her learn the language.

"Even though I'd studied Japanese for six years, and taken many courses dissecting elements of Japanese culture, language and politics, I still learn something new every single day," Kent said.

A Boren Scholarship is allowing Kent to spend a full academic year, rather than one semester, in Japan.

Other ºìÁ«ÉçÇø students staying at Nanzan include: Jordan Aethelric and Connor Glosson (full academic year), Kirstie Carson, Guadalupe Guzman, Alyssa Mulcahy, Christian Dover, Jacob Tighe, and Susana Olivo Sandoval (spring semester). Glosson and Fedrick earned Japan Student Services Organization scholarships. Carson won a Gilman Scholarship, while Olivo Sandoval's time at Nanzan is supported by winning a Japanese Speech Contest, a Freeman-ASIA scholarship, and a Center on International Education Exchange grant.

Mana Washino, a Nanzan sophomore from Gifu, Japan, pursuing a degree in international affairs, has noticed a similar helpful demeanor while studying at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø this fall. Her time abroad is offering valuable career preparation.

"I want to learn more about global topics," Washino said. "It's a very good experience for me."

Sayaka Morita and Minatsu Nishikazi are the other two Nanzan students at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø for 2022-23.

Nishio is particularly grateful that the cultural and language learning is so strong in both directions.

"It gives my students a great opportunity to communicate with Japanese students," Nishio said. "They give ºìÁ«ÉçÇø students a different perspective on the world. It is a mutual learning experience."